Darlings, "Mr. Sardonicus" Was So Much Fun!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

                                                                                      

                         If you did not watch it, or have not seen it, girls, you may want to skip over this post. 

                       The first picture is Sardonicus unmasked.  When he saw the decaying body in his father's grave, which he robbed for a winning lottery ticket, his face was frozen in rictus; in fact, the condition in the film is "rictus sardonicus," hence his name.  He is able to eat through holes in the side of his mouth, but only if liquid or pureed.

                            He treats everyone terribly, torturing poor maid Anna with leeches, which I had forgotten and found disturbing, and he abuses his wife emotionally.  When her former fiancé Sir Robert Cargrave, played by Ronald Lewis, a surgeon, is summoned to the castle, to make Sardonicus' face normal, the surgeon agrees.  Perhaps the most abused character is his loyal servant, Krull played by Oskar Homolka, who gets his big moment, at the end.  At one point, it is revealed Krull once had two eyes; the implication being that Krull was tortured, and his eye removed.

                            The operation is performed and viewed as a success.  While the reunited lovers are at the train station, a frantic Krull arrives to ask them to return, saying something has gone wrong.  When Cargrave reveals the ironic truth-- he barely did anything, the injections were water, and that Sardonicus' whole problem is in his mind, Krull seems dejected, and returns to the castle..  But wait.

                                 You see, the face is normal, yet he cannot open his mouth.  And he does not realize it is all in his mind.  But Krull does, and, in one of the great revenge scenes on film, Krull lies, saying the train had left the station.  He then sits down to a meal, opposite Sardonicus, eating almost lustfully, as the other tugs at his mouth, trying to open it, unable to, not knowing it is all in his mind.  But Krull does, and Oskar Homolka milks every ounce of revenge, resulting in a chilling ending worthy of Shirley Jackson.

                                    I am telling you, girls, this must be seen.  The last scene alone is worth it, and, though on a low budget, with its black-and-white cinematography it manages to conjure up a period atmosphere.   This is one of William Castle's best.

                                      But what will he die of first--dehydration or tooth decay???????????

                                      Think about it, darlings!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!